Folding comb



Nov. 18, 1952 G. c. HAMPARsoN ETAL 2,618,275

FOLDING coMB Filed Sept. 29, 1950 34 97 4. 6 L /o /9 '50 lfl" "la/I /33 50 GEORGE c vHAMPARsoN FRED c. KELLER DONALD E. N/cHoLs /NvE/vTo/Ps HUEBNER, BEEHLER, WORREL. s HERZ/G ArroRA/E "www Patented Nov. 18, 1952 faslsms l. EoLDING `(MBv i Applicationseptcxber 29, 1950,SerialzNm 18.7448

fClaims. :"1 'The rpresent .invention-#relates 1 to :combs and *more *particularly 'to `folding "icormbs having Aa folded compact condition for'stowingfandcarrying purposes.

It -iswell Lknown uthat pocket combsare4 obj ectionablen'that "if"ofadequatesizefor converent employment 'they aresof'bulkyfas :to 'be' "inconven- 'ient to lcarry. The'A teethtend to'snag on"'the`r articles carried therewith and to subject 'pockets in which they are .fcarriedsto excessive wear by contact of the comb teeth therewith. It is also :wellknowng that A.the -r-.teet'lre4 are .frequently dam- .;agedt :byxzotheraarticles with which. the .'combszfare carried and rapidly become soiled unless Lprotec- :.rztivelyhoused.

The :diilicu'lties encountered in :Ithe f carrying .;:and.r,stowing sof i pocketfzcombs :are :also charac- .steristicmf thez'carrying; of fcombszin' 'adie'szghand ibagszandthelike.

.nxobject-of thea present invention .-isa'tot-iproalideL--larxfolding comb 4which.'is:collapsibleiinizof ,a .compact :condtionfvso as :tto r occupy :a minimum of space and :iin Whichgcondition :the :teethoare .shielded :against :damage lizheretozzand :soiling thereof as -.Well zas ifor :the :purpose of 1 obviating -:sna.rlir rg;ofmateria1s' therewith'. andx'thez-'subjec- ,.tionro'f; `azgpocket;purse;-or theflike in which: the comb is carried to excessive Wear-fand/Orzper- .ioratiorrby.thefteeth .-Another object iis sto; provide sa :folding comb lis. :convenientlygand :easily Imanipulated'fbe- :tweenf'ae:compactfconditionand `-anoperablecon dition with teeth extended therefrom. l Anotherj-f-object is v4.to provider-,a comb having foldableteethandmeans .for locking 'theteeth rigidly inoperable position.

Another obj ectis sto, .provideimproved. elements :and-.arrangements thereof .infa deViceoJthe character aandlifor'i 'the purposes set .forth -vthat..iseconomical Eto manufacture, .durable `...in structure,`

"Eiga "1 adjusted" for. operation .with comb teeth -'-extendedinsbstantial'paralllism. 'y

.Fig.'-`3s afragmentary longitudinal .section bf :'econibjshowlngtheiteeth'adnthereements 'thereof*1n`compact'condition.

`Eig. 4.is a fragmentary long'tudinalxsection 4of the comb showing the teeth andv otherelements thereoftfpos'itioned vfor combing operations.

,'Fig..5 is 'a transversefsection of ".the comb, vas takenon line 5-5 of Fig.2.

Fig. `6 Ais afragmentary' View of the lowerside of the comb-'inoperablecondition;:as'viewedifrom 'Referring'in greater detailto thedrawing:

fThe comby Aemploys yan "elongated `:hollow body i0 whiehconvenientlymay bel ey'lindrical'in' form and fabricatedfrom tubular'metalfplastim glass, -o-r' lother material. vAs clearly evident' in v:Fi;g.`:'."r, the -bodyhas a-slot I'I"formed longitudinally, fand ais-evident 'in Fig.` 6, two ysubstantially"parallel vseriesof openings YI 2 aligned longitudinally o'fthe body diametrically opposite-to the v`slot `I l. :Itils to Abe kunderstood that 'asingle series :of Yopenings `aligned :longitudinally 4of 'the body'is .employed rWhen--a'single--rowof teeth "is desired. :The employment Aof "two lparallel series of Vopenings "ac- Acommodates al pair 'of rows of teethgsoon' Jtof-be described, so 'that-the 'interstices"therebetween :are V'of smaller- VsizeA and va resultant finer com-b achieved.

AAneelonga-tedhollow'locking'slide i5 is slidably `ttedto the body '|'0 and likewise 'is'convenien'tly lformedfrom tubular metal, plastic;v glass'or vother v'suitable' material. The" locking slide isiproyided with Y a lon'gitudinal"sl'ot V`| 6; "in registration'fwith 'the slot 5| `I :and: two ksubstantially"parallelrseries v.off'opening-s I1 v"formed therethrough "diametrically opposite "to the 'slot 'i 6 fin alignment' longitudinally thereof. The openings l1 farein'diy -vidua'lly^negistrable with corresponding openings ittedto the channeliprovided yby thejslotslan' 'l '6 for reciprocal positioning 'therein .'longitlidinal-ly `of the"'bo1dy "The control .LmexberZ-hass.a number of jgrouves *23 correspodingfin number 'tothe seriesof openingsv i2 and llfformedlongitudinally in the control .,member,nwardly..dis

posed to'the4 body. "-Z'Ihe control member Iprovides :amelongated 'transversely arcuate `cap 4 ,integral therewithin coveringzr'elation :tothe slotrl vAt '.the handle end :O'L'theroontrol'ememben 'aUpairz-of :arcuatefbracketsf 5,-isg'laterally fextended there# fromexteriorlyi` 'the body in slidable peripheral embracing engagement therewith. Similarly, at the opposite end of the control member, a pair of arcuate brackets 26 is laterally extended from the control member exteriorly of the body in slidable peripheral embracing engagement therewith. For convenience in supporting the comb of the present invention, a clip 21 is mounted longitudinally of the body on the cap 24 intermediate the brackets 25.

As clearly evident in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, the control member 22 is located in predetermined spaced relation to the openings I 2 and I'I through the body I and locking slide I5. A plurality of substantially uniform elongated teeth are pivotally mounted in the contol member 22 and individually extended through aligned openings I1 and I2. It ill be noted that there is a series of teeth pivotally mounted in each of the grooves 23, each of which series is extended through a corresponding series of aligned openings in the i able material having adequate resilience to permit sufficient compression of the studs 32 for snapinsertion of the teeth upwardly into their respectiveY grooves and expansion of the studs intotheir respective indentations. The studs 32 exemplify suitable pivotal axes for the teeth 3s transversely disposed to the control member 22 and aligned openings I7.

.The teeth are of a length appreciab-ly greater than thespacing of the control member 22 from the openings I2 and I'I so that when the control member isl moved to bring the pivotal mounting of v.its teeth 30 into substantial alignment with said'teeths respective openings 'I and I2, the teeth 'will be 'extended from the .body suiciently for combing convenience. In order releasably to constrain the control member in such slidable position with -the teeth-extended from the body in substantially right angular relation thereto, inwardlyconvex dimples 33 are formed in the body in positions overlaid :by the brackets 25 and 26 when the control member is in said position and complementary dimples 34 formed in the brackets for releasable vengagement with the convex dimples 33. U

-When the controlmember 22 is slid toward the handle end I8 of the jcomb by overcoming the resilient nesting of the dimples 33 and 34, the teeth 30 are retracted into the body and the extended end portions 35 located within the openings I2, as shown in Fig. 3.A The length of the slotlII is preferably such that movement of the control member 22 further toward the handle end of the body is Yprecluded by the abutting of the control member against the end of the slot. In

order releasably to 'retain the control member'in the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, dimples Bare formed in the Ibody in positions to nest with the dimples 34with the control member inretractedposition. I

As also shown Vin Fig. 3 the edges of the open'.- ings II inthe locking slide I5 are preferably beveled endwardly of the body I8, as illustrated at 31 in`Figs. 3 and 4. Further, the body at the edges of the openings I2 toward the handle end I8 of the .bodyare beveled at V38 tol facilitate movement of the control member 22 and thus the boss toward the end I9 of the body sufficiently to bring the teeth 30 into substantial right angular relation to the body. The engagementis made just prior to releasable association of the V dimples 34 and 33 and the continued movement of the control member and locking slide to bring the dimples into releasable engagement causes the control slide to move in unitary relation with the control member and relatively to the body whereby the teeth 3U extended through the openings I2 and I'I are subjected to shearing forces conducive to dependable clamping of the teeth in operable position.

After the comb is assembled, plugs 53 of desired artistic form are tted in closing relation tothe opposite end portions of the body and secured therein as by sweating, soldering, welding or other means appropriate to the materials em'- ployed.

Operation The4 operation of the device is `believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.

For stowing and carrying convenience, the control member 22 is drawn toward the handle end I8 of the body I0 and releasably maintained in such position by the nested association of the dimples 34 and 36. This position of the control member frees the locking slide from restraint and draws the teeth 30 upwardly through the openings I2 and II into the retracted position shown in Fig. 3. In such retracted and compacted condition the teeth are shielded from damage and soiling and containers such as pockets, purses and the like in which the comb vis stowed or carried protected against damage fromv the teeth.

The comb is conveniently supported, if desired, by means of the clip 2l on the edge of a pocket or in other convenient position much the well known manner of fountain pens, pencils and the like.

VTo employ the comb, the control memberl22 is thrust toward the end, IQ ofthe body until the dimples 33 and 34 are in releasably nested association. As previously described, the movement ,of the control member slides the teeth 30 downwardly through the openings I'I and I2 and pivots the teeth to thepositionsshown in Figs. 2 and 4 in substantially right angular relation to -the body I9. With the'control member 22 positioned as described, the boss 40 urges thelock ing slide I5 endwardly in the .body I0 and subjectsthe teeth to a clamping action between the body and locking slide incident toa slight misalignmentof the openings I2 and II. The employment of a plurality of rows or series of teeth slidably positioned in a plurality of series of openings I2 and I'I enables the provision of aY comb having closely adjacent teeth in relation to the direction of movement of .the comb teeth through hair during normal employment of the comb. As indicated, when a relatively coarse -combis @einem fdesire'd, 'fonlyfa .single-row :orwserles "ofriteethl'and '"openingsiareemployed.

.Vulth'oughi .the invention :has be'enher'ein shown Vand described 1in Uwhat :is-iconceivedI to '.b'ethe mostlpractical .and .preferred embodiment, ritl is i `@recognized that .departures may be: 'made there- 'strom fwithin 1 thefscope'i-ofthe invention, which Aisln'otvtobe'limitedV to. .thel details disclosedhe'rein @abut isnt'o' be faccordedfthe Sfull scopefofthemlaims 'sowas to y'embrace' any 1 andfall 'eQuiVa-lentdevices vandapparatus.` l

Having described r-our invention, what-we'iclaim iasnewand desire to-'s'ecure -Letters'Patent'isz '1. :A f folding Ycomb comprising "an -*elongated l-:h'o'llow Abody having-ja lslot' Vfor-medlongitudinally i therein -and 1a series of openings formed 'Af-therethrough in alignment longiti-idinally `of vthe' fbody dlametrically ;op'1; osite Lto- "the `slot, fan elongated hollow docking-*slide slidably mounted cin;`the body havinga 'slot "formed longitudinally ftherein registration with the slot of the 4body-and havin'g fia series of :openings individually inregistration With`-the openings inthe body, an lelongatedconl trol member slidably mounted in the slots' ofthe bodyfand locking slide forf'reciprocal movement 1in theA body in a path defined bythe'fslot in-rthe f. body, 1a plurality `ofv teeth pivotally mounted Yion itheicontrol member -for pivotal movement about axes transversely of the slot in the bodyra-nd'extended individually through the openings in the locking slideandbody,` the'control member being reciprocally positionable in the body between a position with the teeth extended from the body and a positionwith the vlteeth'retracted into the ber engageable with the lockinglslide :when the control member-.is moved lto -teeth vextending position wherebythe locking slide is 4shifted longitudinallly of the body toclamp the teeth -in'ex- Vtended position in Itheir respective openings.

"f`2. vvA folding -comb comprising-a hollowfcylinydrical body having a'slot formed longitudinally therein and a series of openings'formed therethrough in alignment longitudinally of the body diametrically opposite to 'the slot, a hollow cy-.;

"lindrical lockingslidemounted in the body'for slidable movement longitudinally thereof having a slot longitudinally thereof in registration with the slot in the body and a series of openings individually registrable with corresponding openings in the body, an elongated control member slidably mounted in the slots of the body and locking slide having support brackets laterally extended therefrom exteriorly of the body in sliding embracing relation thereto, a plurality of teeth pivotally mounted on the control member for movement about axes transversely thereof and individually extended through registered openings in the body and locking slide, the control member beingureciprocally positionable in the body between a teeth extending position and ya, teeth retracting position, and a boss mounted on the control member engageable with the locking slide upon movement of the control member to teeth extending position adapted to lock the teeth in positions extended through the openings by urging the locking slide endwardly in the body.

3. A folding comb comprising a hollow cylindrical body having a slot formed longitudinally therein and two parallel series of openings formed through the body in alignment longitudinally thereof diametrically opposite to the slot, a hollow cylindrical locking slide located concentrically in the cylindrical body having a slot body, vlsaid. locking slide ybeing vreciprocally `mov-- 'formed longitudinally "therein vin registration `with the slot inithe body :and'havin'gttwo parafl-lel "series `-ol? 'openings formed 'therethrough l, indi vidually'registrable with corresponding openings embracing? 'relation l to'i theexterior: of .thefbody about substantiallyparallel-axes transversely of "the body and vindividually f slidably extended 1`5` vlocking slide Awhereby reciprocal movementx'of thecontrol member'. extends the teeth in'para'l'll- "ism through the openings fand lretractsthe teeth ".into'the'ybody, .and a-iboss-ri'gidly extended @from v-the control member '1 abuttable nwith' the! locking throughfthe Llraligned .openings 'in the 'body and slide 'when Vthe :control member vis vmoved to vteeth extendingvpos'ition whereby the lockingslideis shifted -longitudinally relative Etothe' bodyT-loek- Jing .the teeth' by resultant shifting oflthe vopeningslfromfalignment.

VA1i. "A; retractable comb comprising -an felongate'd 'hollowfbody havingV al handle end portion zand-an oppositeend portion having-.a slot longitudinally therein :and fa series off-openings therethrou'gh f'inalignment:longitudinally of the lbody'diametrivvcally opposite Sto ltheslot, a vlocking-:slide `mounted *in ,th'eF-body' havingua. ser-ies `o'f openings 'therethrough v-infalignment *longitudinallyv of the body positionable 'for registration of the' locking4 "sl-ide openings :with-corresponding openings linf-the rable between Va position with the' openings therevsaidopposite Vend ofthe body from' precise align- 4"nient 'f-with' their respective openings, an elongatedcontrol memberimounte'd in 'theis'lot lof Ithe -fbody i for: slidablel "reciprocal imovement therein between-a position 'in the'ihand'le end 'of the 'body Yand apositionin said'oppo'site end of the body, l"a"plnra-lityofiteetlfl' pivotally mounted in "tlie control member for pivotal movement about axes transversely of the path of reciprocal movement thereof 5in' the body having extended ends individually'rested in the openings in the body and the locking slide when the control member is located in the handle end of the body and extended from the openings in substantially right 4angular relation to the body when the control member is located in said opposite end of the handle, a boss borne by the control member adjacent to the locking slide at the handle end of the body engageable with said locking slide on movement of the control member toward said opposite end of the body to urge the locking slide toward said opposite end, and means adapted releasably to constrain the locking slide selectively in its reciprocal positions in the handle end of the body and said opposite end.

5. In a comb of the character described, a body, Aa locking slide slidably mounted in the body, the body and the locking slide having a series of aligned openings formed therethrough, a control member slidably mounted in the body in spaced parallel relation to the locking slide for reciprocal movement in a predetermined path in the body, a plurality of teeth pivotally mounted on the control member on axes transversely of the reciprocal path of movement of the conpositionable between a position with the teeth extended through the openings in the body and the locking slide and a position with the teeth retracted into the openings, and means mounted v on the control member engageable with the lock' ing slide when the control member is in teeth g extending position to shift the locking slide relative to the body and thus to clamp the teeth in the openingsin positions extended therefrom.

6. In a comb of the character described, a body having a series of aligned openings formed therein, a locking slide slidably mounted in overlaying relation to the openings for reciprocal movement longitudinally of the series of openings inY the body and having a series of aligned openings formed therein concurrently individually registerable with the openings in the body, a"

control slide slidably mounted in spaced parallel relation to the locking slide for reciprocal move-V ment longitudinally of the series of openings in the body, a plurality of teeth pivotally mounted, in the control slide for movement about pivotal axes transversely disposed to the aligned open-1."

ings in the body and individually extendedfV through aligned openings in the locking slide 1 and body, the control slide being reciprocally positionable relative to the body between a posil',

tion with the teeth extended through the openings in the body and a position with the teeth retracted into the openings in the body, means mounted on the control slide engageable with the locking slide upon movement of the control slide to teeth extending position to urge the locking slide longitudinally of the series of aligned openings in the body whereby the teeth are clamped in extended position, and coacting means on the body and control slide forreleasig. ably constraining the control slide successively in teeth extended and teeth retracted positions. 7. A folding comb comprising an elongated tubular body having a slot formed longitudinally therein and a series of openings formed theref through in alignment longitudinally of the body diametrically opposite to the slot, an elongated,`

tubular locking slide slidably fitted within the body having a slot formed longitudinallytherein in registration with the slot of the body and having a series of openings individually in registration with the openings in the body, said locking slide being of a length less than the length of the body and providing spaced ends within the body, an elongated control member slidably mounted in the slots of the body and locking slide for reciprocal longitudinal movement in the body in a path longitudinally thereof defined by the slot in the body, a plurality of teeth pivotally mounted on the control member for pivotal movement about axes transversely of the reciprocal path of movement of the control member Iand individually extended through the openings in the locking slide and body, the control'member being reciprocally positionable at the body between a position with the teeth extended from the body and a position with the teeth retracted into the body, and a boss integral with the control member extended therefrom to a position endwardly aligned with the locking slide engageable with an end of the locking slide when the control member is moved to teeth extending position whereby the locking slide is urged longitudinaily of the body to clamp the teeth in extended position in their respective openings.

GEORGE C. HAMPARSON.

FRED C. KELLER.

DONALD E, NICHOLS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,138,872 Marogg Dec. 6, 1938 2,431,865 Dempsey Dec. 2, 1947 2,486,203 Pieper Oct, 25, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 966,170 France Mar. 1, 1950 

